Drivers of Ford SYNC AppLink-equipped cars can now have access to to the Allergy Alert app from Pollen.com.

SYNC AppLink allows users to connect smartphones or tablets to their Fords and use voice commands to access information from Allergy Alert.  The app has a pollen index rating that informs not only of specific allergens that may be in the air, but on their levels. It also contains risk indexes for asthma, flus and colds, and ultraviolet rays.

Pollen.com is a public resource developed by IMS Health, a healthcare information provider.

"Pollen affects everyone differently, and the IMS app was developed to specifically help people on the move improve their quality of life," Dan Barton, head of US product development for IMS Health, said in a statement. "Our experience with allergy sufferers suggests a strong demand for real-time information. The technology we've applied in the Ford SYNC AppLink-equipped car helps drivers better prepare for the allergens they may encounter on the road by delivering reliable, timely and relevant information related to their destination. The app gives users the ability to more consistently manage their symptoms."

The app available in Fords is the first step in a program launched by the car company last spring to add health-related services to its cars mobile connectivity integration capability.

"We are attempting to create the car that cares," said Gary Strumolo, global manager of Ford Research and Innovation. "We want to change the paradigm that in-car connectivity systems such as SYNC can only be used for information and entertainment purposes. Health and wellness are key issues for our customers outside of the car; therefore, we want to leverage our connectivity platform to improve their time behind the wheel. The trend in mobile health is all about knowing potential health concerns before they happen so that they don't surprise a person, even while driving."

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